“I’m a lover of all things different, twisted and macabre”
Michelle Visage, a true icon in the entertainment world, is no stranger to celebrating the unconventional. With her latest project, Scissorhandz, she’s popping on her producer’s hat again for the musical reimagining of Tim Burton’s cult classic, Edward Scissorhands, at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant from January 23rd to March 29th 2025. A smash hit in its native LA, and ahead of its highly-anticipated London debut, Taylor Trash caught up with Michelle to talk about the exciting new London production.
The original Edward Scissorhands film has long been a cult classic, celebrated for its outsider, misfit narrative, and heart. Speaking of the show, Michelle needs no prompting by sharing, “It’s just a roaring good time,” certain all audiences will embrace the new take. “And of course, the music is incredible, featuring hit songs from Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Alanis Morissette, among others.”
The Scissorhandz soundtrack promises a lineup of universally beloved hits, designed to leave audiences humming long after the show ends. “It’s songs that everybody’s going to know and love,” Michelle shares. “When I go see a musical, my barometer is whether I leave humming a song. This show is all hits, back-to-back.”
Michelle’s journey to becoming a co-producer for Scissorhandz was down to her friendship with Bradley Bredeweg, (The Fosters, Good Trouble, The Last Breakfast Club), the show’s writer and director, who invited her to join the project, knowing her love for the original film. “I didn’t think twice,” Michelle recalls. “And of course, my friend Lance Bass is also producing. We just loved it so much and wanted to be a part of it.”
Theatre holds a special place in Michelle’s heart, and she’s passionate about the importance of nurturing young talent and paying it forward. “I spent my whole life training for the theater,” she said. “Seeing these kids walk that same path and do what they love is a gift. Being able to facilitate those magical moments on stage is such a joy.”
For Michelle, the project is more than just entertainment; it’s about creating a platform for queer voices and celebrating diversity. “Our Scissorhands is non-binary, played by Jordan Kai Burnett, who is wonderful,” she shares. “You want to protect this person who has been cast aside and let them know they’re loved and they matter. It’s an important message, especially in a world that’s often too quick to cancel people.”
Jordan Kai Burnett stars as ‘Scissorhands’. Photos from smash hit season at The Bourbon Rooms, Los Angeles.
The musical’s production design stays true to the off-beat 1950s aesthetic of the original film, with costumes by Abbi Clarke that Michelle promises audiences will adore. “The costuming is fabulously whimsical, and the set design is gorgeous,” she says.
When asked about her dream duet partner from the soundtrack’s featured artists, Michelle revealed her love for Lady Gaga. “I’m definitely a monster,” she admits. Michelle’s admiration for Gaga is obvious: “She’s such a spectacle to watch, but she’s also a grossly underrated artist. She sings live, plays piano with her hands and feet, and still manages to deliver an incredible performance. I just love her so, so much.”
Can we expect to hear any Mariah Carey in the production? “You will have to go and see the show to find out”, she teases. Whilst on the subject of Mariah, in a Loverboy Exclusive, Michelle finally put some rumours to rest. When the question of a past relationship with Mariah’s brother Morgan was raised, Michelle, a self confessed member of the Lambily, said “I did date her brother Morgan for a while.” Meeting him by accident in LA, Michelle shared a tidbit about their initial connection, revealing that Morgan’s mother, the late Patricia, was actually her vocal coach. “I’ve spoken to him a few times when Mariah was at the house and I’ve known Mariah over the years just from interviewing her as a radio presenter and I love her. I’m a Lamb.”
Michelle’s admiration for Tim Burton’s work runs deep, and she sees parallels between his love for outsiders and her own career celebrating the unconventional. “I’m a lover of all things different, twisted and macabre,” she says. “There’s always a safe space in his work for queer people, a feeling of being understood.”
Scissorhandz, with its ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race-level’ camp (in Michelle’s own words), and reimagined storytelling, is poised to become a theatrical sensation. Burtonville is taking over the Southwark Playhouse Elephant for just over 9 weeks so make sure you book your tickets fast as dates are already selling out ahead of opening night.
Listen to the full interview below:
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Taylor: If you could replace Edward’s scissor hands with something else entirely, what would it be?
Michelle: Well, you can go different ways with this, can’t you? Use your imagination. I think it really depends on the mood you’re in. You could change it to pizza… you can change it into curling irons… you could change it into butt plugs… whatever your freak is, I think it depends on the moment.
Taylor: If Scissorhandz were a fragrance, what would it smell like?
Michelle: I would imagine there’s some leather in there. Maybe some rust. Maybe some topiary. Maybe a little bit of barbershop.
Taylor: On a scale of one to ‘this is the best thing ever’. How camp is Scissorhandz?
Michelle: The camp level is RuPaul’s Drag Race level.
Taylor: If Edward competed on Drag Race, what challenge do you think they would have excelled at?
Michelle: Probably a costume challenge with scissors for hands, right?
Taylor: If Edward could give RuPaul a makeover, what would you imagine the final look would be?
Michelle: Frightening. Really frightening. But we would love it because Ru would do it. Ru would rock it, that’s for sure.
Taylor: Would you be able to sell this show to me in five words or less?
Michelle: Gay, camp, safe-space, music, extravaganza.
Scissorhandz: A Musical Reinvented at Southwark Playhouse from January 23 to March 29, 2025.
Website: scissorhandzthemusical.com
